Supporter Mark Bird and his dog Candy have recently 
completed a long sponsored walk in aid of DRWF and Support Dogs.
They followed the Thames from its source in the Cotswolds to the point where it joins the English Channel in Southend.
The walk started on 6th September and ended on 24th September averaging 12 miles per day.
Mark said to DRWF, ‘I wanted to get away for a bit and do something worthwhile. Having a love for rivers I decided to walk the Thames path with my dog and raise money for some good causes.'
The duo got a train to the Cotswolds on 6th September and started the 215 mile hike armed with food, pots, pans, a tent and a rucksack.
Mark said that the first week was very lonely, and that they hardly saw a person or building for the first week or so! They camped in fields and on the river banks and at one point even had to escape a rather angry herd of cows!
When they reached Reading, they jumped on a train and went home for the night. Being closer to home, they returned the next day to continue where they had left off. They did that from then on every couple of days using home as a base.
They arrived in Southend on 24th September, having completed the hike one day ahead of schedule, despite being two days behind schedule after the first week.
Mark said, 'I got a tremendous sense of satisfaction when we reached the end, it was very emotional. We saw some superb scenery, wildlife and countryside and came away with a few tales to tell. By the time we finished we were both exhausted and I had lost a stone in weight. Thank you to my local pub, family, friends, and work for your support.'
Mark raised £270.00 for DRWF and Candy raised £260.00 for Support Dogs. DRWF would like to thank Mark for his support.
Mark and Candy hope to do another walk early summer 2010. Watch this space.